LPU violence: High court asks Punjab govt to send report to Centre

Taking cognisance of the violence and arson at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has summoned the state government and ordered it to take necessary steps. The court has directed the Punjab government to submit its account before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs within three days in accordance with Section 6 of the NIA Act.

During the hearing, the court pointed out that the police have invoked Section 66(F) of the Information Technology Act in this case. According to the rules of the National Investigation Agency, this section falls under the category of scheduled offences. Once the state administration submits this information, the Centre will have a period of one week to take a decision on whether or not to hand over this probe to the NIA. The court will now reconsider this case on November 17.

This legal action is underway on the basis of a public interest litigation filed by a student of the university itself, through which a plea has been made to send the investigation of the incident to the CBI. Advocates Gaurav Chopra and Arjun Sheoran, appearing before the court, argued that large-scale arson, loot and riot-like situations had developed inside the institution, making an impartial probe through a central agency imperative.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken serious note of the worsening atmosphere on the campus. He has issued orders to the administration to take stern steps against the culprits. Following the Chief Minister's directives, DGP Gaurav Yadav himself reached the spot to assess the ground reality. DIG Naveen Singla stated that the police are investigating the entire matter minutely.

Following the tension generated on the campus, the university management has announced a ten-day holiday and suspended the ongoing mid-term examinations. Students have been advised to call their parents and return home, while those staying inside the hostels have been cautioned not to step out without urgent work.

It is noteworthy that anger had spread on the campus after discussions began on social media regarding misbehavior with a female student. During this, vandalism took place in the campus shopping complex and the Delhi-Amritsar national highway remained blocked for several hours as well. The police have registered a case on the statements of the students and constituted a five-member SIT, though according to the police, preliminary investigations have not confirmed such an offence. Nothing has yet been proved in court.

Key developments

• High court instructs Punjab govt to send report to Centre in 72 hours under NIA Act
• Central government will take decision on NIA probe within one week after reviewing report
• Next court hearing on PIL regarding CBI probe will be held on November 17
• CM Bhagwant Mann orders strict action against culprits and directs DGP to visit spot
• LPU administration shuts university for 10 days, cancels mid-term exams